DEMAND FOR EGGS

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 95, 23 April 1931, Page 14

DEMAND FOR EGGS

NEW ZEALAND'S CHANCE

EMPIRE PREFERRED

(From "The Post's" Representative.) LONDON, 12th March. Mr. J. B. Mcrrett is still' in London in connection with Australian eggs. He is enthusiastic over his project of a million pounds sterling for the shipment of eggs from Australia, South. Africa, and New Zealand in one season.

"I owq the introduction of this great undertaking to New Zealand," Mr. Merretfc stated. "It was in 1923 I brought one and a half million eggs to London. I then saw the possibility of the trade. South Africa was importing eggs, and Australia did not realise its opportunity. I set out to organise for £1,000,000 to be exported in eggs. I got the co-operation of many, and the season just passed is the seventh. I figured it would take ten . Last year South Africa, and Australia sent over 150,000,000 eggs in. three .months, and the value of the eggs totalled nearly £8000." ' ; , .

Asked, "What did New Zealand do?" Mr. Merrett answered, "New Zealand was Jiofc in the picture. I cannot understand why, as there is a golden chance. Possibly New Zealand is up against dearer foods- for egg production than either Australia or South Africa, so the cost of, production is greater. Then, again, poultry farming is not specialised in the same way;" ■■'"'■ '

"Are the prices here payable?"—"At present the exchange is helping'us.-' Produce all round is down, but our Dominion eggs ' are getting such a good name that buyers are willing to pay --more for them. England's supply for winter has in the past been drawn from Denmark and Holland. These countries preserve and cool store the eggs, in large quantities for England's winter demand, but as the eggs are six months old as against ours of sis weeks our quality has commanded the trade, so that we are getting more orders than we can fill." : EGGS FROM CHINA. "There is no chance of over-doing the supply?"—" Not at all,"'. said Mr. Merrett. "The Chinese send £3,500,000 each, year in frozen eggs. England depends on these !for her bakers' trade. This year we are selling, a large quantity of frozen eggs from Australia at a payable price, so that it matters not how heavy the production in our Dominions: would be there is an outlet .not only for eggs in shell, but in frozen form, as buyers here are favouring Empire produce." '.•■■■

"Then you consider New Zealand would be wise to produce?"—'' Most certainly. Being a New Zealander born," continued Mr. Merrett, "I am disappointed that we are not doubling tip the production to cater for this trade. Some of the best eggs I have ever sold in this market came from New Zealand. The. quality and grades are good. The shipments made in the past left such a good impression that I am constantly being asked for New Zealand eggs. It is very regrettable that New Zealand cannot ship, as there is no doubt the egg exports from our Dominions will grow to a very big thing." Mr. Merrett intends shortly.to return to Australia to arrange for the supply of very large orders for next season. UNMARKED EGGS. Turning to another subject of importance, Mr. Merrett. remarked: "The Merchandise Marks Act of England prescribes,that all imported eggs in shell must bear the words 'Foreign' or 'Empire," or the name of the country of origin. The stamp must be aflixed so that it can-bo read, though many eggs I have examined are so badly stamped as to make it impossible to read the impression. .

"Recently a prosecution took place at Slough. The inspector said that eggs from America -had shown some attempt ,at stamping, but many were unreadable and some 'had just blots of ink on them.' It is the retailer who is responsible. Neither the importer nor the wholesaler is responsible. The man in this instance was fined £1. Attempts were made to make the Customs Department responsible, but the contention was not upheld. Another feature of the case was demonstrated. The inspector need not take tho eggsto Court. If only one egg were present in a case the Court would accept his word.

"A case of eggs from the Argentine was received unstamped, and' the retailer rejected the case. We have had evidence of Australian ggs arriving during the past season where stamping has been missed, and the work has been done under Customs supervision."